The Artimus Reynolds series

Artimus part 1

The cold air whipped through The deserted streets of Eastview. The snow piled high on parked cars. The roads were untouched as if all  the residents of Tisdale street had hunkered down for the duration of the snow storm.  Yards were caked in layers of white. The owners had given up on shovelling as the snow fall was relentless. A lone figure trudged through the thick snow to the frozen steps of Saint Bartholomews church. The baby boy, the one with the mark of the Crow, was tucked in the carrier. He slept despite the Artic conditions.  The figure placed the carrier on the top step. It rapped on the door 3 times. It turned and in flash it was gone. The light above the porch flicked on casting yellow light on to the frozen white landscape. The doors locks clicked and clacked as a old and tired face peered through. Shock replaced annoyance on her face as she saw the little bundle and his dear sweet face.

15 and  half years later
Another rock went fizzing past his head. And another. Bang. That one found its mark. His head stung But still he ran. The tears welled in his eyes but he didn’t stop. The boys continued to chase him. Another rock cannoned into his head. That one hurt more than the first one. He rounded a corner and could see the sanctuary of Saint Barts. He pushed on even though his lungs were burning and his legs wanted to Quit. He ran up the well worn path and on to the top step as another rock hit his skull. That one hit the hardest. He ducked inside the church.  The last rock was definitely thrown by Archer he thought. Archer Macgillicutty was a boy from school who was taller stronger and bigger than everyone else. The alpha of Eastview.   He made all the sports teams. In Archer’s mind he WAS the sports teams. The boys all stopped at the white picket fence. Chests heaving. Cuss words filling the air. The words stopped as soon as Father Reynolds stuck his head out the door. The tall and broad man was an imposing figure. His silverish grey hair matched the clouds above.  He took two steps towards them and they ran away like scalded dogs.  Archer lingered. He pulled his letterman jacket close to him as the wind whipped up. A flock of crows “Arked" over his head. They all relived them selves  at the same time. Archer tried to avoid it but his Jacket looked like it was owned by a painter. Father Reynolds smiled and waved at the Crows. Archer turned and ran to catch up with his friends.
Father Reynolds walked back inside to find Tim, whose full name was Artimus Reynolds, sitting on a pew at the back of the church. He had his head in his hands. The priest put his hand on Tim’s shoulder. He looked up at him with tears in his eyes.  The priest smiled. “My son wounds will heal, names will be called...but that large boy will never be anything other than a no good prick!” He said emphasizing the last word. It got Tim’s attention. He smiled. He stood up and rubbed his sore skull. “Dinner will be soon...make sure your jobs are done and the bins are out.” Father Reynolds said walking past Tim, moving towards the altar. Tim stood up, took a deep breath and went outside into the cool air to get some general tidying done. As he was picking up a few errant catalogues for the local supermarket he noticed a black mark on the back of his hand. He picked at it as if it was a bit of fabric or lint.  It pinched his skin. It hurt like plucking a hair out. But it didn’t come out. It sat there staring at him like some defiant teenager. He brought his hand up to his eyes and saw it was actually feathers. A collection of Ten fine black feathers. All bunched up and tucked in behind each other. He hurriedly walked into the church and darted into the small office just inside the door.  He flicked the light on and dug around the communal desk for some scissors. After a moment he found a pair with red handles. He went To cut the hairs off of his left hand but to his amazement the feathers were gone.  A second later he noticed them on His right hand instead. He swapped hands again and the feathers were now on the back of both hands. What the Fuck he thought! He saw a few more had sprouted. Panic set in and he ran from the church to his quiet place.

3 galvanised sheets of corrugated iron sat against the fence at the back of Church yard. They were positioned at an angle. Tim sat inside. He had a blanket, a stack of books and a battery operated lamp. He sat with his back against the fence staring at the feathers on His hands.  School was hard enough without feathers.  How would he survive? He would have to tell his best friend Dallas Portland.  Dallas had always  been teased and mocked for his name but his poor sister’s suffered a worst fate. They were named Tallahassee and Maine. Dallas was wheelchair bound but he and Artimus had been best friends since the first day of the first grade.  Thinking of Dallas made him smile. He calmed down. He took several deep breaths. Maybe now he could look for his birth parents. Not That he wasn’t grateful for everything  that Father Reynolds had done for him but it might help being around other Avians. They would know how to deal with the change and that could help him reach his potential. He felt better about his situation and crawled out of his lair. He dusted off his knees and went inside the small but comfortable house. It was the only home he had ever known. He saw Father Reynolds in his chair reading like he did every night. He looked up from his book and said “All good?” Artimus nodded and said “Yeah yeah fine just need a good night sleep.” Father Reynolds smiled. “Me too! Goodnight Tim.”


The three of them snuck around the back of the building. The last remaining street light flickered and died. Perfect they thought. The church, the house beyond and its yard was flooded in darkness. Perfect. Archer, Clay Dixon and Dion Farmer each clad in black ran up the side of the church. Dion ran off toward the small house holding a full Gerry can.  He was strong and fast. The main two qualities of a running back. He set the can down on the grass with a clang. His adrenalin was pumping so hard that he didn’t notice that when he put the can down he had hit a sharp rock. The impact had put a hole in the Gerry can. Petrol leaked out and soaked in to Dion’s shoes. He opened the can and poured it all around the outside of the house and church. He was trying so hard to impress Archer, he had splashed petrol every where. His jacket sleeves were soaked and his pants were wet with fuel too.
As Dion was off pouring petrol Archer and Clay laid out 6 glass bottles each filled with petrol and topped with a petrol soaked rag hanging out of it. They stood In silence. They each took out a lighter and lit the rags as they saw Dion come around the corner holding the now empty Jerry can. The flames jumped and danced. Archer picked up and threw each flaming projectile. Each one hit its target with a smash. Within seconds The house and church became encircled in flame. The three of them smiled. Clay was the first one to notice the flame slowly coming towards them. It was following a path straight to Dion. “We might have to go.” Clay said pointing to the fast approaching fire. “Nah Man..I wanna admire our handy work.” Dion said as the fire picked up speed towards him. He looked at the house and the church. His eyes grew wide. Clay sprinted off without warning. Archer and Dion turned their backs on the fire to call out after him. “Hey get back here you coward!” “Man...he’s a pussy.” Dion said as they  turned back to the fire. He was hit by a ball of fire. His clothes went  up in flames incredibly fast. Archer saw his friend in trouble and heard his screams for help. The panic set in and he turned and ran in the same direction that Clay had gone a few minutes earlier.  The fire took complete hold of Dion. Charring, burning and eating everything it touched. Some thing happened inside of him. Some thing that had been inside of him that he had ignored. Something magical. The flames had woken something in Dion’s blood and his DNA. The flames died down as if his body had soaked up the flames like a sponge. He looked at his hands and arms. No burns. No nothing. He smiled. He looked at the church and house now fully ablaze. The door of the house exploded open and Tim emerged from the house holding father Reynolds over his shoulder. Dion cursed and ran off in the opposite direction that his so called friends had.
Father Reynolds sat on the grass looking up at the flames eating the small house. He turned to see his beloved Saint Bartholomews church burning. Tim grabbed the garden hose and tried to put the flames out. It was an exercise in futility. He dropped the hose and looked at his hand. The black feathers were still there. He had an idea. He planted his feet. He held his arms out, with his hands together. He opened his arms and closed them. As He did more feathers appeared up his hands and arms. The breeze created by his arm movements was making a slight difference. He sped up. The flames seem to push back. He walked around the house, flapping all the while.  The flames retreated and then went out.  He turned his attention to the church. He knew it would be harder than the house as it was 3 times the size.  He flapped so hard and so fast that his sneakers left the grass.  He floated towards the church and the flames disappeared. He picked up speed and flew around the church, eliminating the flames. He landed with a thump. His legs crumpled beneath him. He rolled onto his back. His arms, legs and chest now fully covered in black feathers. Father Reynolds walked up and looked down at Tim. “That was some fine hero work Tim but what are we going to tell the fire brigade?” he asked pointing to the red and blue light making their way towards the once burning church. The sirens wailed and screamed in the middle distance. “ You aren’t going to ask about The feathers?” Tim asked holding up his arms that were now essentially wings. “I knew what you were The minute I met you.” Reynolds said putting his arm around Tim. “You’ve had an awakening. Your life will never be the same.” Tim broke from their hug. “Can I still live a normal life?” Tim asked. Father Reynolds smiled and shrugged as the fire trucks pulled up at the front of Saint Barts. “I’ll deal with them... you go into the house.” Father Reynolds said with a kind but firm smile. Tim nodded and jogged towards the house. As he got inside the safety of the house his feathers began to disappear. He saw father Reynolds talking to the fire chief, mimicking hose actions and bucket tipping. The chief nodded but even from across the yard Artimus could see the man wasn’t buying what the priest was selling. Artimus walked to his room to put his phone on chargehe large fire chief saw a few black feathers on the ground. He picked them up and pocketed them as the priest was looking the other way. 
In the sleepy tent community in a clearing in Eastview forest the last of the campfires went out. The last of the smoke billowing into the night to join the darkness. Callahan Black slept in his tent. A turbulent sleep. Dreams of the one that was taken from him with his destiny unfulfilled.  Artimus. He tossed and turned. A vision of Artimus covered in feathers and flying near a church. It woke him with a start. He was panting. He was covered in sweat. He ran a rough hand through his salt and pepper hair. The beads around his neck clicked and clacked.  He felt him. As if he was in the same room as him. He smiled. His boy had discovered his heritage. He was an Avian. His smile left his face and  was replaced with a look of fear. If he had felt Artimus then She would have too. He jumped up, got dressed and stuffed some supplies in a bag and went to find some community members who would help him.

Midas Avenue sat high above the town. It was for the super rich and successful. There were only 3 house on the street. The largest house belonged to the Latrobe family. The other two houses belonged to them as well but the fact that they rented them out to other families was strictly on a need to know basis.  Granddaddy Latrobe made a fortune renting out those high end houses as living in Midas Avenue made others think you were successful.  Behind the gates of granite and wrought iron sat the stately Latrobe Manor. In the master bedroom Evangeline Manuela Latrobe. Mayor, Successful business owner and face of every charity in town. Her family built and ran the town. They owned everything from the Water  company to the rubbish trucks. If it made money it was run by a Latrobe company. She stirred in her 4 poster bed. It was hand carved by her Grandfather Ernest Latrobe.  She sat bolt upright in her light blue silk Pyjamas.  She pulled off her sleep mask.  She felt him for the first time in many years. His true lineage had been revealed.  He had his Avian awakening. Her arms tingled and she could feel it happening again. Her heart raced and she felt hot.  She swung her legs off the bed. She frantically clawed at the bedside table. She pulled a silver blister pack of tablets. She popped two and swallowed them. It took a few minutes but the symptoms subsided and she felt normal again. At least it happened here and not in public she thought. Hatred lived in her heart. It was situational and generational. The Latrobe’s had always been harder and colder than a Minnesota winter. You didn’t get to the top of the business mountain from being nice.  Evangeline’s hatred was something else.  She still hated Callahan for what he was and the fact that it had revealed something about her that the Latrobe’s desperately wanted to stay hidden. She thought about the boys awakening. Did she reach out to him? Or was it best to stay hidden? A thought shot into her brain. A smile crept across her lips. That smile. Like A snake who saw a wounded mouse.
The sun rose. It spread it’s warming light on to Dion who was already hot enough. He walked up a small hill and looked around. He had know idea where he was. He had left the church last night and kept walking.  He was tired and exhausted.  He was also hot and incredibly uncomfortable. He pulled his black sweat shirt off and tossed it aside. Fuck Archer and Clay for getting him to pour the petrol last night. And the two bastards ran off. His temperature went up at the thought and He was hit with a searing pain in his head. He screamed and flames shot out of his fingers. He looked shocked. He inspected his hands. No burns, No scars and no blood. He pointed his hand again and a long line of flames jumped from each finger. A smile crept across his chapped and dry lips. He walked to a tree and made a finger gun. He moved his thumb and flames exited his index finger like a fire revolver. He turned back towards Eastview and set off the find Archer and Clay, firing shots of flames into the air as he walked.

Another school day. It never got any easier for Artimus. He trudged up the hill towards Eastview High School. Abuse was hurled from passing cars as members of the football and baseball teams passed him on the rain soaked streets.  The over night rain had cleared but everything was still damp. Artimus  was wearing an olive army style jacket. It previously belonged to Father Reynolds when he was a solider. His second hand jeans were ripped and torn. He certainly wasn’t following a fashion trend. His jeans were just old and worn. He almost looked cool. But as was the case in high school. Almost wasn’t good enough. He  waited to cross the road. He looked up his iPod. He didnt have a phone. All Father Reynolds could afford was a Generation 2 iPod.  He didn’t care. He was just happy to have something to block out the abuse from the jocks. He saw a girl walking. She had hair as black as a raven and was wearing a black jacket with decorative silver buckles. Her jeans wear 80s acid wash and her shoes were mismatched. He sipped her take away coffee and continued her March to where ever she was going. Artimus stared as she went past him. She had her head phones in and seemed to hide from him behind her hair. He looked back at her as she looked back at him. They both just turned and kept walking. Artimus pushed on another 3 blocks and came up to the Eastview High School parking lot. He walked on past the main entrance and came in through the side door. The corridor was a sea of glum faces and the sweet tang of Axe body spray. Artimus squeezed through the mass of people and walked up to his locker. He had to check the number. 172. He couldn’t workout why there was 8 cheerleaders standing near his locker. As he got closer the blonde one in charge almost leapt at him. "Hi you must be Artimus!...im Kayla Anne Misscoff!” She said shaking his hand. "Yeah I know...we have been in each other’s classes since Kindergarten."he said pulling his hand back. He started doing the combination of his lock. “I don’t think that’s true...i would have remembered you.” She replied with her head side ways like a dog. “So can I ask why 8 cheerleaders are by my locker?” He said getting some books out and putting his backpack away. “We have it on good authority that you are the one to watch.” She said as the bell went.  The other seven nodded in unison. “One to watch? What does that mean?” he asked. “We will save you a spot on the table at lunch ‘kay?” she said walking backwards with the other girls almost in formation. “Um yeah sure.” Artimus said not knowing what had just happened. “Can you explain that?” A  voice called out from behind him. He spun around to see his best friend Dallas Portland in his wheel chair. “Hey big D...yeah No I can’t explain that at all but I have Something I need to tell you..” Dallas’ eyes lit up as a booming voice filled the hallway. “Get to class!” it was Vice Principal Hartley. He was a large man across the shoulders with a large belly that stretched his stained white shirt. He stood visibly out of breath and he was sweating profusely. He raised a chubby finger at Artimus and Dallas. “Move" he said with a raspy wheeze. They both nodded and went down the corridor.
At Eastview Fire Station the chief, Dillon, sat at his desk. He sipped his coffee as he reread his own report on the call out to St Bartholomew’s Church. Something didn’t seem right. The priest said that he put the fire out with a hose and a bucket. There’s no way that was true. The emergency call said that the house and church was surrounded in flames. Again there was no way that one older man could have done it single handed. He remembered there was a boy who the priest had took on as his own. A loner type. This boy had given his own son trouble over the years. Tim or Arty or something like that he thought. His son had got in trouble at school because of that boys claims of bullying. He put it down to a lack of attention. His son was lots of things. An athlete, the football captain and soon to be prom king by he was no bully. He would have to pay this boy a visit.
At lunch Artimus met Dallas at their regular hang out spot. They had hung out on this bench since the first day of high school. Dallas ate a PB and J while Artimus ate a ham and cheese roll he had made that morning. “So what’s this thing you had to tell me?” Dallas asked with a mouth full of sandwich. Artimus looked around to she who was around. A group of younger kids playing hand ball to the left of them and a group of girls sitting in a circle discussing a TV show. Neither group was paying them any attention. He leaned in and said “Last night I learned something about my self...im an Avian!” Dallas’ eyebrows went up. “What do you mean?” he said as he chomped another piece of sandwich. “I sprouted feathers and some how I flapped my wings so hard I actually flew!” Artimus said. Dallas couldn’t believe his ears. “Wow dude...what else can you do?” Dallas said drinking his chocolate milk. “I didn’t really think about it...come over on Saturday and we can test out my new powers.” Artimus replied realising how insane that sentence was. Here he was Thinking he was a nobody, a nothing. He was going to be a big deal in a war that hadn’t started yet.

Dallas wheeled off towards the science lab and Artimus walked back towards his locker. Through the mass of students he thought he saw her. He didn’t she her as much as he saw the buckles on her jacket. He wanted to say hi but the butterflies in his stomach were pretty much a tornado. She passed him on the other side of the hall. Her raven hair blocking her face again.  He stared as she walked towards the art rooms and in an instant she was gone.  He stood feeling silly and he looked up and saw the 8 cheerleaders from this morning walking towards him. They walked up and surrounded him. Kayla Anne stared at him. “You are a tricky one.” She said smiling. “How so?” He said walking towards his Geography class. “We saved you a seat at lunch...and you no showed so that made me come and see you...you are some mastermind of human manipulation.” She said snapping her fingers and the other 7 cheerleaders dispersed. Artimus stopped walking. He looked Kayla Anne in the eye. She was pretty. Her blonde hair spiralled down to her shoulders. The ends curling and bouncing every time she nodded. She smelt amazing and he could feel a butterfly or two take flight in his belly. “I can’t for the life of me work out why you have talked time more today than a lifetime of schooling! You want to fill me in?” Artimus asked. Kayla Anne blushed. Her beautiful skin going a rosy pink. “Well to be honest... I read some of your poetry on Insta and it Really made me feel things....” She said looking down, feeling embarrassed. “Wow you liked my words...thank you for reading them.  I’m feeling brave for some reason...do you want to get a coffee after school”? His voice shook but he got it out. She smiled “I would love to!” She said with that amazing smile. "Should I meet you down the road or at the coffee shop?” he said not believing he was in front of Kayla Anne Misscoff and she wanted to be seen with him.  “ Dont be silly...ill meet you at the door.” She said walking off to her next class. “See you then” he said as she looked back at him and flashed that smile one more time.

Time dragged so slow for Artimus. He was so excited to spend time with Kayla Anne. As the geography teacher was talking about tectonic plates Artimus' phone blipped. It was a friend request from Kayla. He smiled and he pushed accept. Then a thought hit him. What if it was a set up? What if he went to the front entrance to see her and he was ambushed by Archer and his cronies? He started to panic. His heart rate went up. He started to sweat. His right hand itched and tingled as a single black feather appeared on the back of his hand. It stood tall and proud. It’s friend popped up on His other hand. He jumped out of his chair and ran for the door. He threw himself out in to the deserted hallway and ran for the toilets. He saw the school handyman’s trolley out side the toilet door and saw a no entry sign. More feathers sprouted on His arms and hands. He just stopped in the middle of the hallway, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. She’s not going to set me up...you deserve happiness...she is a decent person...give her a chance. He said to himself aloud. He opened his eyes and the feathers were gone. He thought he was getting better at slowing the unwanted spread of feathers bit it was just a mild attack of anxiety. He went back to class and dealt with the “You have diarrhoea!”  jibes from less intelligent class mates.  The Bell finally rang out and the great student migration began. Artimus walked up to the main  entrance and there she was wearing her cheerleader outfit. A white “E" on a red back ground. She looked up from her phone and saw him. She squealed and ran to him. She hugged him. Artimus liked the feeling but he could feel so many eyes on him.   He went red and warm.  She pulled back from the hug and smiled that million dollar smile. “You all good to go?” She asked. “Yeah...im dying for a coffee...had a late night last night.” Her Eyes grew wide.  “Did you say you had a date last night?” Artimus laughed. “No I said late not date...I’ve never been on a date before!” He said feeling like a loser. “Well we can fix that!” She said smiling that beautiful smile.
They both turned and walked down the steps. She reached over and entwined her fingers with his. He held her hand tight. Anxiety flew through his body for a second. Three feathers popped up on His left hand but he put it out of his mind as he and Kayla navigated the busy path. Outside Eastview high was a sea of kids waiting for their parents to pick them up or trying to get the car Daddy paid for out of the forever busy car park. A football Rolled across the ground and it hit Artimus' foot. The jocks yelled and shouted for him to throw it back. He saw Archer Mcgillicutty. They made eye contact. He knew that Archer and Kayla had been together a few years ago. Artimus let go of Kayla’s hand and picked up the ball. He cocked his arm back and let the ball fly. The ball flew through the Air in a spiral that Tom Brady would have been jealous of. It hit the jock who was calling for it so hard in the chest it knocked him off his feet. Kayla’s eyebrows went up.  “I didn’t know you could throw like that?” She said grabbing his hand again. He smiled “I didn’t know I could either!” He said as the jocks gathered around their friend with a sore chest.
Dallas wheeled himself down the street. He would normally wheel himself home with Artimus but he was going in Kayla’s car. That wasn’t a problem for Dallas. If a hot cheerleader offered to drive him home he would have back flipped out of his chair. He smiled at the thought of him doing a back flip. A black limousine was a short distance behind him. He was about to cross the street when the long black car pulled across his path. The window went down with  mechanical whir. A stylish woman with too many necklaces on and way too many rings. “Dallas my dear do me a favour and tell me all you know about Artimus Reynolds.” Evangeline said with a fake smile plastered on her face. “ You are Evangeline Latrobe...I’m not doing anything you say.” Dallas said as he pushed off his wheel chair. He went as fast as he could but he was no match for the limo. The huge man driving swerved the car on to the pavement and went right over Dallas. The car thumped and rocked as the car squashed Dallas. The car stopped. The huge man got out of the car. He lifted up the limp lifeless body of Dallas and threw him in to the plastic lined trunk.
The car pulled up to the gravel filled yard. A guard got off of his chair. He waddled over to the limo. The big man wound the window down with a whir. The guard looked tired and fed up with life. His belly just about pressed up against the drivers door. He lifted up his hard hat. “Another one?” he asked as he ran his hand through his goatee. “Da...one of another...It in trunk.” The driver said in a heavy Russian accent. The guard nodded wearily. He told the driver to turn the car around. The driver did as he was asked. The limo turned around on the gravel. The driver backed the car in to the yard. The guard brought digger to the car. The two men loaded the body and wheel chair into the diggers bucket. The guard rumbled off to dump the body in mass grave that Evangeline used to hide her crimes.  
Artimus and Kayla Anne walked to her car and the attention from onlookers intensified. Boys stared at them with jealousy. Girls stared at them because Kayla Anne had never dated anyone who didn’t wear a Letterman jacket.   Artimus enjoyed the feeling and he didn’t know a hand could be as soft as Kayla’s. She led him to a red two door convertible. It’s paint work was immaculate and it looked incredibly expensive. He got in the passengers side and the car smelt like her. She started the car, pushed the roof down button and reversed out of  her park. The little car bumped as they hit the infamous drain that was a an Eastview High landmark. Year books from the 60s made reference to it. Both Artimus and Kayla looked shocked for a second. He realised that this was the first time he had left the school in a car. He walked just about every day regardless of the weather. It was kind of exhilarating he thought as Kayla put her foot down and raced up Baxter Road. Artimus didn’t know cars or how to drive yet but he could see Kayla was a natural. The engine hummed for most of the journey except when Kayla made it scream when she over took old man Chapmans apple truck. “How did you get so good at driving?” he asked as she slowed down  to turn left on to Main Street. “My parents own a farm.  My 3 older brothers are competitive as hell so it was learn fast or get left behind.” She said pulling Into the Cafe car park. “We used to set up race tracks and we would race everything from horses to Go-Karts to full sized cars!” Kayla said pulling the car into a space and killing the engine.  In this car ride alone he had learnt more about Kayla than he had in the whole time they had been in the same year level.  “So three brothers hey? I can’t even imagine...I’m only child...well I think I am...I was left at the Saint Bartholomew’s church door when I Was a few months old.” Artimus replied realising Kayla was just staring at him intently. “That must have been hard for you.” She said with empathy. “It was when I was little but the St Barts priest Father Reynolds adopted me and here is the man that shitty situation made!” He said using his hands to display his torso. They both got out of the car and they walked to the Cafes front door hand in hand.
Emily Jenkins sat in front of a blank canvas. Her brain was blank. Well not blank. He was on her mind. The one who was just like her. She was wearing an old dress shirt backwards as a makeshift smock. She dipped her brush in the yellow paint . The world went black.
3 hours later she came to. She blinked herself back In to existence. She was slumped in a chair. Her head was fuzzy. Her mouth was incredibly dry.  She stood up and saw it. A 8 foot by 8 foot canvas.  There was darkness that decorated the edges. Towards the middle was an angry mob holding torches and weapons.  In the middle of the painting stood two figures. She was the female figure with a baseball bat in her right hand. She was wearing a black tank top. Her arms covered in black feathers. A gold crown sat upon her head. The male figure was Artimus. He stood back to back with her. He wore a tight black tee shirt with  black feathers running the length of his arms. Behind him were a large pair of brownish black wings.  He too had a crown on His head.
Emily stared and stared. What did this mean? Why had she blacked out? And why had she painted Artimus and herself as King and Queen? She had to move this canvas but it was huge. She had never even spoken to Artimus before but she had admired him from afar even before he had his awakening. She’d felt It last night as had a lot of Avians. The one who would lead them in dark times.
Kayla and Artimus sat in the Cafe for hours talking and learning things about each other. Stories were shared. Truths were told. Myths were debunked and the seeds of something new and exciting were planted. Artimus still couldn’t  believe he was here with the most popular girl in school. He looked out side and it was nearly dark. “I think I better get home and see Father Reynolds...He might be worried about me.” Artimus said standing up to stretch. Kayla also stood. She leapt forward and hugged him. His body was harder than she was expecting. Artimus hugged her tight. She still smelt sweet and beautiful. This was a feeling he could get used to. She pulled back. “Do you work out?” She asked as the headed for the door. “Not really...I run a bit...usually away from Archer and his goon squad!” He said with a laugh that made her smile. “Well explain this then” and she poked his midsection. “You have a six pack!” She said in amazement. “I don’t think so.” He said lifting up his shirt. Sure enough there they were. “See I told you!” She said smiling.  Another perk thanks to his Awakening. They walked out side to her car. “I want to try something.” Artimus said putting his hands on her waist. She logically thought he was going to kiss her but he squeezed her and launched her into the air. She panicked slightly but her cheerleader training kicked in and she flipped, twirled and spun through the air with style and grace. He caught her with ease. Her blonde hair flumped over her face. She flickered it away.  She was panting. But she was smiling. She felt exhilaration like never before. Her heart was racing. He took a chance and kissed her. She kissed him back. Her lips were soft and like nothing he had experienced. It felt lightning on His lips. They separated and each flashed happy smiles. A voice called out from behind them. “Your one of them ain’t ya?” They both ignored him.    “Step way from the purdy girl you freak!” Kayla looked scared as three dirty men in jeans and flannel shirts stepped closer and spread out around them. “Arty what are they talking about?” She said with a shaky voice. “He’s just a bully who’s happy to pick on a High school kid.” Artimus said as he stepped in front of Kayla. “Cmon you feathered freak take your beating.” The third man said from behind the bigger two men.  “Alright you can have me but she goes free.” He said as he and Kayla  started walking backwards towards her car. “That’s fair...our problem is with you...you are an abomination of nature!” The front man said with venom on His words. He spat on the ground in disgust. Kayla opened her car door and “Arty...just get in, we can run from them.” Artimus nodded. “Its ok...I’ll be fine...I’ll meet you at St Barts church”.  She nodded and started the car. She reversed out quickly and drove towards the exit. As she got near the third man she pulled the wheel sharp to the left and clipped the third man with The front quarter panel of her car. He hit the ground with a thud. He screamed "You bitch!” the front two turned to see what he was screaming about. Kayla floored the accelerator and flew off down main Street. As the other men were distracted, Artimus pulled his shirt off and thought of the feathers. One by one at first they sprouted. Then two by two.  Until he was completely covered in feathers from his  neck to his belly button. The men turned around as their friend kept screaming. “Ah knew you was one a them bird brains!” the front one said as he saw a freshly feathered Artimus standing there. The man pointed at screaming third man and said to the second “Shut him up and help me kick this feather dusters Ass!”  The second man walked up to his injured friend and pulled out a revolver and fired two shots. The bang scared some birds from the trees. But not Artimus. He stood firm. The first man charged and lunged. Artimus didn’t move Until the last second and the man missed him and hit the concrete with a thud. “Mah nose is done broke" the man said with blood running from his nose and mouth. Artimus threw one punch and it connected with such force that the man flew 25 feet only coming to a stop when he hit a white van. He left a man shaped out line in the panel of the van. As Artimus was looking at the first man the second one grabbed him from behind, but only for second as he slipped out. The man was left holding a handful of black feathers. He threw them down in disgust. Artimus raised his hand and all the feathers rose up. He curled his fingers so they were facing him and all the feathers went back to where they were before he was grabbed. The man stared at Artimus. He snapped out of his trance and threw three massive haymakers at Artimus. He easily dodged all three and hit the man in the chest. He flew the same 25 feet and hit the first man as he was just getting to his feet. Artimus wanted to punish them further but he knew they had enough. He picked his shirt and started running in the direction  of St Barts.
He ran so fast, faster than he ever had. He couldn’t believe how strong he was too! This whole awakening thing was amazing. He turned the corner and see St Barts church up ahead with Kayla’s little red car parked out the front. He slowed to a walk. He approached her car but it was empty. He ran to the church house and opened the door. Inside Kayla Anne sat drinking tea with Father Reynolds. He stood in the door way puffing and panting. “Arty!” She said springing up from her lounge chair and encasing him in a hug. “Hey hey it’s ok...I’m safe!” he said pulling her back so he could look her in the eye. “I was so worried you.” She sobbed. Artimus smiled. “I know and I don’t think they will bother us again.” He said. “But...what...” She started as Father Reynolds cut in. “What if they do come back Tim? What if they have an Army? What will you do then?” Artimus nodded and stared at the man. Part of him wanted to tell that he handle an Army. Part of him wanted to hug the man. And part of him wanted to pack a bag and run from Eastview and never look back. “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” Father Reynolds nodded. “I think it’s time for young Kayla here to go as you still have chores to do.” He said firmly but with a small smile. Artimus and Kayla both nodded. “Thank you for the tea" Kayla said as Artimus led her to the door and followed her outside. They walked to her car in silence. So much had happened. From meeting at his locker this morning to sharing a kiss and dealing with small minded violent hicks. She opened the drivers side door and turned to him. They hugged again. The hug turned in to a kiss and it was just as electric as the first one. “Arty as I was driving away...I saw something...were you...are you...What are you?” She said almost whispering. He smiled and let out a small chuckle. “Last night I had an awakening and i discovered I’m an Avian.” He said stepping back from her. “Avian? As in bird?” She asked, shocked. “I’ll show you but don’t be afraid" Artimus held out his hand and the feathers slowly appeared on His hand and arm. She couldn’t  believe her eyes. She reached over and touched them. They were so soft and thick. She brushed them back against the grain of the feathers and they rose and fell back into place. “Watch this." He said flexing his arm like he was showing off his Triceps.  All the feathers clumped together and faced the same way. She ran her hand along them. The feathers were now hard and almost resembled armour. “This is a lot to take in but I’m not scared...I don’t want you to be either.” He said shaking his arm so the feathers went back to being soft. With in two seconds they had disappeared. “I’m a little scared...but let’s get through what ever you being an Avian brings.” She said as they kissed again. “I’ll see you at school tomorrow.” He said as she got in the car and  drove off into the night. “So she knows?” Father Reynolds voice cut through the night. “Yeah but I trust her" Artimus said walking up the few short steps to the house. “Am I to assume you told Dallas?” father Reynolds asked as they walked inside the house. “Yeah I did, he’s sleeping over tomorrow night...if that’s ok with you?” Artimus asked locking the front door.  “Of course it’s fine...I’m just worried about how people will react if they find out about you and your heritage.” The priest said. Artimus nodded. These new powers were more than a toy. Not every one would be as accepting as Kayla, Father Reynolds and Dallas. The three hicks from tonight were not going to be the only ones who disliked Avians so that was just some thing he had to learn to deal with. Father Reynolds hugged him and went off to read. Artimus  reflected on the day.  His first kiss and first battle as an Avian.

The car sped down the road. She pressed the call button on her steering wheel. The dial tone rang through the cars speakers. “Hello?” The posh sounding voice answered. “I’m in...target is on the hook.”  she said. “Was it easy?” The voice asked. “He’s a 16 year old boy who had never kissed a girl before and he has massive abandonment issues...it was incredibly easy!” She laughed. “Did you see the feathers?” The voice asked. “Yes I did.” “We’re They black?” The voice asked with a slight nervousness. That was the first time she had heard the voice falter. “Yeah they were all black.” She said turning the car in to her sleepy upper middle class street. The voice said nothing. “Also he flexed his arm and the feathers became hard like armour.” She said with silence as the response. After a few moments the voice came back with “Good good...your first payment will Be wired immediately.” The voice said and the call disconnected.

The next morning Artimus woke up with a spring in his step. It was Friday. Always a good day.  He had a few messages from Kayla over night.  He got dressed in a blue grey checked shirt and his light coloured jeans. He went into the kitchen and father Reynolds was no where to be seen. Maybe he had popped next door to the church. He made his lunch and had a quick piece of toast. He made a coffee and put it in a travel mug. A horn blared from outside. He pulled back the curtains. There was Kayla. Waving and smiling. He had the thought that she might have fled after discovering his secret, but here she was. Artimus locked up the house and jogged down the path towards her car. He kissed her hello and she produced two take away coffee cups. He took his with a Thank you. “How are you this morning Kayla?” he said as she drove off towards Eastview high school. "Well it’s game night tonight so I’m going to be super busy doing cheer prep.” She said sipping her coffee. "Is there anything I can do to help?...i mean only if it gets me out of class!” He said with a laugh. Kayla laughed too and said “I’ll see what I can do!” She pulled the car slowly into the schools entrance, narrowly avoiding scraping the low front end on the infamously bad and poorly designed driveway.
Onward he walked. Step after step. Anger growing with each yard and mile. He was beyond boiling. He was almost at volcanic levels. His fingers were blackened and small lines of white hot fire snaked their way around his forearms. Archer and Clay he thought. Over and over again. They would pay for being cowards. For leaving him to burn. It would be their turn to burn.
The large veranda was filled with chatter. A hum, a collection of noise. 30 men sat around a small flickering fire. All the men appeared to have coordinated their wardrobes as they were all wearing jeans and some form of flannelette shirt. From the house stepped the man who lead these meetings. They didn’t have a fancy name or a slogan but they knew what their message was, “No Avians in Eastview.” He raised a clenched fist in to the air and the talking died down. “Brothers we have a menace living in our town...a feathered pest who attacked two of our men.” The gathered crowd became instantly restless. The man held up a hand and they settled down. “But tonight we make our presence known...we storm that game and let those Avian scum know who we are!” the man said as the group cheered and clapped.
The bell rang for lunch and the hallway of Eastview High School was filled with hungry students. Artimus was one of them. He walked into the cafeteria with his brown lunch bag and a bottle of water. He saw the cheerleader and jock table. Kayla was sitting in the middle. She saw him and her face lit up. She frantically waved him over. Reluctantly he went over. She popped off of the bench and hugged him. She pulled back, leant in again and they kissed. She pulled back. All the eyes of the students were on them. Artimus had never  experienced that before. It felt like being in front of a firing squad. Whereas Kayla was a performer so she lapped it up like the suns rays. His heart was thumping. His face went bright red.  He knew the feathers were not far away. Sure enough four sprouted on His left hand. He hid his hand and sat back down.  They were surrounded by Kayla’s cheerleading squad on one side of the bench. The other  side was empty.  The hall way that led to the cafeteria filled with shouting and cheering. The football team swarmed in and took over the room. They all broke off into separate cliques.  The most popular guys made their way over the where Artimus was. Archer and Clay were The first to get to him. He expected them to berate him and give him shit. All the boys sat down. Archer stuck out his hand and said “Artimus my man...Kayla told us how awesome you are!” He said high fiving Artimus' hand. It hit Artimus that he had never actually heard some thing positive come from Archer’s mouth. Clay piped up with “Yeah man that spiral you threw the other day after school was incredible.” Ashton said Thank you. All the boys got back up and went to get a trays worth of lunch. “Arty...you coming?” Archer asked. Another thing occurred to him. He had never even had a conversation with Archer let alone be invited to get lunch together. "Nah Arch I got my brown bag lunch.” Artimus said putting a little bit of bro on His accent. Archer stared at Artimus. “Arch?” he asked as if no one had ever shortened his name before.  After a tense few moments he smiled. “Arch it is...every one can I have your attention?” Archer said with a cafeterias worth of eyes on him. “I will known from this moment on as Arch! And my man her Artimus will be known as Arty!” He said to cheers and wooing! The kids in the cafeteria started up a chant. “Lets go Arch...Lets go Arty!” Artimus couldn’t believe what was happening. He was at the popular table. He was apparently dating the head cheerleader and he nemesis since kindergarten was now his best bro? Was this a dream?  Being where he was at this exact moment was intoxicating. He would ride this wave for a long as he could.
The brown truck rumbled into town. It crossed traffic and pulled into a parking spot. “Well this is a far as I can take you.” The old farmer said turning of the old truck. “I appreciate it my brother.” Callahan Black said shaking the mans calloused and rough hand. Years of farmer work was hard on the hands. The years had been hard on His face too. Deep wrinkles ran all over his face. Both men exited the truck and each went their separate ways. Callahan desperately needed a tea. Not just any tea, it had to be organic and authentic. Just like tea leaves he hand picked and dried at the tent City. He strolled along the street in his best hemp suit. This one was a shade of beige. His shirt was a responsible sustainably harvested cotton, that his friend Evan had dyed for him.  He had felt his son on numerous occasions over the last day or so. He felt that he was close. Her also felt that Evangeline was close too. He saw 3 high school she girls walking up. He approached them casually. “Excuse me Ladies...do you know a boy in this town called Artimus Black?” he asked pushing his hair back in to place. The three girls looked at each other. “Well..” The front one in a Mickey mouse t-shirt started. “We know an Artimus but his last name is Reynolds.” She said. It wasn’t what he was expecting but he  would work with that name. “Thank you ladies, I appreciate your help...Have a good day!” He said with his best second hand car salesman smile. The three girls walked on. He found himself a quiet spot in the park. Being surrounded by trees, birds and nature always made him feel at peace. He sat on park bench in Jefferson Park with his eyes closed. He called out to those of the feather. Show me the Avians nearby. In front of his eyes appeared face after face. A baker icing a cake. A man mowing his lawn. A young woman painting a canvas. This obviously wasn’t who he was looking for but she was an Avian of interest. There he was Callahan thought as images of Artimus sat with a young woman in an cheerleader outfit. They must be going to the football game tonight. That was the best lead he had gotten all day.

Game night at Eastview High was a big deal. The crowd sat on the bleachers. The coaching staff milled around on the side line. The opposition, The Fort Sanders Colonels, ran a few quick drills. Up in the stands, Artimus looked down and realised that he had never actually been to a football game before. He had watched the NFL on TV as Father Reynolds was a big 49ers fan. But He was always busy with Dallas. Shit. Dallas! They were supposed to hang out tonight but Artimus had forgotten all about it as he was hanging out with Kayla and the popular kids. One day into having a girlfriend and he was already being a bad friend. He felt terrible that he had sold his friend out for a girl but look at her he thought. He looked out to the field as the cheerleaders ran out to pump up the crowd clad in their red and white outfits. There was Kayla, front and centre.  She waved in his general direction and he smiled. I’m still dreaming He thought. The marching band came on to the field. They played a song while Kayla and her flexible friends flipped and twirled. The crowd cheered as the Eastview Eaglehawks ran out in to the arena. They were all fired up and screaming and yelling. Artimus looked down to see Kayla waving at him again. He waved and smiled back. As the players line up for the kick off a shot of flame leapt from the players tunnel. Another and another flew and slammed onto the grass. The players turned to see fire flying at them. They ran in all directions as more fire rained from the sky. Artimus got out of his seat and tried to push through the panicking crowd. He jumped the last 6 steps. He desperately looked for Kayla.  “Kayla...Kayla..” He shouted in the chaos. Fire continued to rain down. He caught a glimpse of Kayla but lost sight of her immediately. He closed his eyes and thought of her. He saw her. She  was calling for him but the noise of the scared crowd drowned her out. He open his eyes and followed the map that he saw in his head. 2 seconds later he saw her and they ran to each other. They hugged. “Oh my god Arty what’s happening?” She asked sounding terrified. “Im...not....sure.” Artimus said looking passed the chaos to a lone figure shooting the flames from his hands. He let go of Kayla. “Get your cheerleader friends and anyone else you can help and get out of here...I need to stop what ever that is.” He said pointing in the direction of the parking lot. “No Arty I can’t leave you....I...” She started. “Kayla it’s fine I’ve got feather armour...just Shut the lights off and I’ll stop him.” He said as held her shoulders. She nodded. They kissed and hugged then she ran off to cut the lights. Artimus held out his hands and the feathers covered his arms. He ran away from the screaming people. He stood just 20 feet from the fire Spouting creature. They eye balled each other.  The fire creature started circling.  Artimus didn’t want this thing behind him so he started circling too.  He stared at the flaming creature. No. It couldn’t be? “Dion? Is that you?” Artimus asked still circling. “So what if I am?” The garbled response came as little bits of fire flew out instead of spittle. “Bring me Archer and Clay...they need to pay for making me into this monster.” More fire flew out on to the grass, scorching where it landed. “I can’t let you hurt them...” Artimus said flexing his feathers so they went hard like armour. “What are they your friends now...you don’t know do you?” The stadium lights shut off plunging the whole field in to darkness. Dion was the only source of light.   Artimus closed his eyes. If there are any other Avians In the area I need your help. He opened his eyes as a fireball whizzed past his head. Two days after his Awakening he was in the fight of his life.
Kayla hadn’t left the stadium. She had cut the lights and now hiding behind some seats. She was on the Phone to Evangeline Latrobe. She was giving  her a play by play. She felt terrible for Artimus. After a few moments Kayla started to cry. “I can’t do This to Arty...he’s a good man.” She sobbed. Evangeline rolled her eyes. Ugh feelings. They got In the way of so many things. “Ok sweetie...” She turned on the charm. “Come to the front of the school and I’ll pick you up.” She said sounding like she actually cared. “But I can’t leave Arty...” Kayla Said crying again. “He will be fine...he’s a strong boy.” Kayla agreed and hung up. She blew a kiss to Artimus and she ran hurriedly to meet  Evangeline. 
Another fire ball flew at his head. He ducked and rolled away. Artimus had felt the heat from that projectile. It was close. Too close. “Ask Archer and Clay about the church...” Dion mumbled. Artimus ignored him. Dion raised his hands and pushed them towards Artimus. A long line of flame shot out of his hands incredibly fast. Artimus closed his arms over his face and the flames bounced off. Dion threw another line of flame. This time it was faster harder and hotter. It smashed into the feathers. It was so hot Artimus couldn’t handle it. He thrust his arms into the air, feathers charred and smoking. He fell to the ground.  Some of His feathers were limp and some were roasted to a crisp. He tried to flex them back into armour  it they were just too burnt.  He rolled over and stood up. Dion advanced on Artimus. Dion swirled his hands. Two little fire cyclones appeared. They crept toward  Artimus. He stood there panting. Dion started circling again. Artimus was  out numbered and out matched. In the darkness two black shapes swooped in an extinguished the flames. Dion growled and spat flaming embers. The two figures stepped closer. One was the girl from School. The other was a middle aged man that Artimus had never seen before. Both of them had arms full of feathers. Three fire balls streaked towards them. They each ducked. “Any ideas?” Artimus asked the man. “Not really!”  he said ducking another fire ball.  “How about we take away his air...fire needs air to burn so...” She said shyly. “Great Idea!” Artimus said. “How about we run sound him really fast...” He said. “And you can fire feathers into his nose and mouth.” Artimus said pointing to the man. Emily and The man Nodded.
Artimus and Emily each walked around Dion. His head was swivelling between the two of them.   They started to run in opposite directions. Their momentum built up a breeze and it cooled one of Dions feet down. A smile crept on to Artimus’ lips. But that split second that he wasn’t focussed cost him as he clipped Emily’s foot and they both went tumbling. Dion  laughed but he went back to trying to get his leg unstuck from the ground. Artimus looked at Emily who had just dusted her self off. She shook her head. He walked right up to her and said “Do you trust me?” She looked him deep in the eyes. Those deep brown eyes that said I want to be a hero but I’m scared too. “ Yeah guess  so.” She said in her usual laid back style. “Great!” He said. And with that he grabbed her hand and ran around Dion. The spark they both felt was amazing. Maybe this was the first step towards that canvas that she painted when she blacked out. They seemed to go faster and faster. Callahan saw the connection between the two. He had had the same vision that Emily had. That these two kids would lead the Avians from hiding and push back against those who held them down. Dion’s other leg cooled. Callahan  pushed his arms towards the now stuck  fire creature and fired feather after feather into the creatures mouth and nose. Artimus and Emily did a few more laps of Dion. When they finally stopped running all that stood on the football field was a steaming ash grey statue with black feathers stuffed into its face. “Great job you two!” Callahan  said to Artimus and Emily. They both smiled and looked down simultaneously. It was then they realised that they were still holding each other’s hand. The rapidly let go and both apologised profusely. Emily brushed the hair from her face. They both starred at each other. They weren’t saying anything but they felt things. To break the awkward moment Callahan coughed. They both turned to look at him. “I didn’t have the chance to introduce myself...I’m Callahan Black...I’m the tribe leader from the tent city of Avians.” He said shaking both of their hands. Artimus pointed to himself and said “Artimus and this is...” “I’m Emily.” She said firmly. In the distance car horns honked and a fire engine siren cut through the silence. “I don’t think we can stay here” Callahan said. Emily and Artimus nodded. “We can hide out at my house...I live on my own so there’s no parental permission  needed.”  Emily said looking more animated than Artimus had ever seen her.  In the distance they could see a crowd walking towards them. They were carrying Flaming torches and brandishing weapons. The three of them started running in the opposite direction. They were so fast that they left the mob to find nothing but scorched grass, black feathers and an ugly statue of Dion. Dillion Magilicutty was at the front of the mob. He bent down and picked up some feathers. The same feathers he found at the church fire. He thought for a minute. An evil thought. One that would land him in hell but he didn’t care. To him a world where Avians and humans co-existed was hell.
The three Avians ran all the way to Emily’s house. As they all got their breath back their feathers retreated. Emily unlocked the gate, cautiously eyeing the street to see if they were followed. She shut the gate and relocked it. She led them in through the  back door. “Make yourselves at home...im dying for a shower.” She said walking towards the bathroom. Callahan walked to the kitchen and called back to Artimus. “You want a coffee or tea?” “A tea would be nice...white with no sugar please.” Artimus replied sitting on a brown 3 seater couch. The kettle rumble to life and it sounded like a far off thunder storm. Callahan walked to the couch and sat down. He took a deep breath. “Artimus I want to be honest with you as it seems we will be fighting side by side...” Callahan said.  Artimus looked at him with a quizzical look.  “Do you know who your parents are?” Callahan asked. “Well no I don’t but how did you know to ask that?” Artimus said feeling anxious and agitated. Callahan raised his eyes brows but he didn’t say anything.  The silence said what Callahan wanted to say. “You? You are my father?” Artimus said getting to his feet. Callahan nodded. “Yeah I am...im So sorry it’s been this long...” He said apologetically. “Oh you are Sorry...” Artimus said indignantly. “Yeah I am...i didn’t know where your mother had dropped you off.” “My mother? You want to tell me who that is?” he said feathers covering his arms. “I can tell you but you won’t believe me..” Callahan said trying to stay calm. “Your mother is Evangeline Latrobe.” "Bullshit ...i don’t believe that...she has gone on record as being anti Avian so probably wouldn’t be caught dead with you...im out of here..” Artimus said as he stormed out and slammed the door. Emily walked back to the lounge room drying her hair with a towel. “What did I miss?” She said. Callahan said trying not to look embarrassed. He sighed. “I told young Artimus that I was his father and his mother is Evangeline Latrobe and he stormed off.” “Evangeline Latrobe? But she’s anti Avian...why would she have anything to do with a dirty great Avian like you?” Emily said brushing her wet hair. Callahan looked annoyed. “Why is everyone sceptical of my abilities with the ladies?” he said with a scowl on His face.  “Not all ladies...I’m sure some desperate over forty’s would love you...i but not that Fox of a lady Evangeline!” Emily said with a smile. Callahan smirked and went to the kitchen  to make some tea. He called out from the kitchen. “Hey Emily...when are you going to tell Artimus about that vision you had?” She stopped as if she was frozen to the spot. That was her deepest personal secret and this middle aged absent father knew about it? How did he know She thought. “How did you know about that?” She demanded with her hands on her hips. Callahan held up his hand in a defensive pose. “Woah woah easy turbo...didnt mean to hit a nerve!” He said smiling. She said nothing. She just looked embarrassed. “No need to be bashful...i had the same vision...except I’m not in love with him!” He said laughing.

Artimus walked the streets of Eastview. He stomped hard and kicked up the dirt. After all these years he had wondered who is mother was. Evangeline Latrobe? There’s no way! She hates all things Avian. Her great grand father drove them out of town back in the day when he was Mayor. It made sense why she left him on the church steps on that snowy night 15 years ago.
He made his way back to St Barts church. The smoke rose above the trees. It hit his nostrils and panic filled his body. His feathers covered his arms and he ran as fast as he could. His heart sunk as he rounded the bend. Where Saint Bartholomew’s once stood was a smoking mess of wood and collapsed brick. The small house at the back of the property was completely burnt. He ran up to the white picket fence  and defeathered before he got there. Tears streamed from his eyes. The onlookers parted as they knew who he was. Their faces went to sympathy. Mrs Spencer from next door came up and put her arms around him. “Tim...im So sorry...he tried to put out the flames but he was old and...” She trailed off as she couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. It hit him like a tonne of bricks. “He’s gone?” Was all he could muster. “Yes dear...” She said as tears flowed down her wrinkled face. A well of emotion welled inside of Artimus. Father Reynolds. The man who had raised him because his parents abandoned him as a baby  couldn’t resolve their differences. The tears flowed again as he took a step closer to the remains of the church. He pressed on further, one sad step at a time. He rounded the church and saw his quiet place. The three galvanised sheets had been thrown on to the floor. All of his personal belongings were strewn across the yard.  He let out a scream. Not just any scream. A scream that in the future other Avians would say it woke them from their boring existence and made then fight for Aviankind.  He stood there trying to work it out and then he looked down. Then he saw it. A large boot print in the dirt. There were several boot prints. All facing Artimus' quiet place. He turned back to the smoking wrecks that was the house and church. The fire didn’t reach his retreat. Why where the firefighters over here anyway? He thought. Artimus walked back to the smouldering house. As he passed what was the only family home he had ever known. Artimus saw a note stuck to a post that used to hold up the small porch. He frowned. The note was taped on. He pulled it off and opened the folded note and read it.
He put it out with buckets and his garden hose before right....
We will find you and eradicate your disease ridden kind from our town.
Artimus thought back to the night of his Awakening when he had put the fire out with his feathers. He remembered father Reynolds telling the Fire Chief how he put the fire out. He also remembered that the fire chief didn’t believe a word of what father Reynolds was saying. His head was swimming. It struck him as odd that there was no ambulance or fire truck in the vicinity. Something about this whole thing felt wrong. He wandered back to the street where Mrs Spencer was standing. She hugged him and he held her tight. A limousine pulled up in front of where St Barts church had, until and hour ago, stood proudly for 100 years.  Mrs Spencer pulled back from her hug with Artimus.  He saw the car and walked over to the back window. It rolled down. “Artimus” was the call that came from the car. Mrs Spencer looked at Artimus. “Do you know anyone with a limo?” She asked staring at the long black car. “I really don’t!” He said with a small smile. He walked the short distance to the car. He looked in and sitting there on the high end leather seat was a graceful and glamorous woman. She was in her late 30s to early 40s.  She wore so much jewellery that it looked as if her jewellery box exploded on her. He hair was white blonde and it was cut incredibly short.  She spoke with a posh accent. “Artimus darling you must get in I have so much to tell you.” She said smiling like a crocodile. “My son my only son...you must get in the car.” She said pointing to someone else Who was in the car to move next to her. Kayla moved so Artimus could see her.  “Kayla? What...why...what are you doing with Evangeline?” Artimus asked, feeling his world shift slightly. Kayla’s eyes were red from crying. “Arty...im so sorry...i never wanted to hurt you...” Kayla said through another wave of fresh tears. “Arty! I love it...so cute...its those touches that made me pick you Kayla.” Evangeline said. Her driver, a mountain of a man , got out of the car and walked around the bonnet towards the back door. “What do you mean ‘pick her’?” Artimus asked getting more and more annoyed. “Oh Arty you didn’t think the hottest and most popular girl in school would talk to because she read some of your garbage poetry?” Evangeline said in a mocking tone. “I paid her to spend time with you.” She said laughing. Kayla sat there in tears mouthing the words I’m sorry. Before Artimus could react Evangeline’s driver stuck home with a stun gun. He let out a groan and slumped into the car window. “Arty NO!” Kayla screamed and leapt forward. Evangeline pulled her back in to her seat kicking and screaming. The older woman gave her a sharp slap across the face and Kayla stopped kicking. The huge driver picked up Artimus like he was a bag of feathers, opened the door and threw him on the seats that ran up the side of the limo. He walked hurriedly back to the drivers seat and took of as if he was a formula one driver leaving pit lane.  Evangeline pulled hand cuffs from her collection of necklaces and secured a limp Artimus’ hands behind his back. She reached under the seat and pulled out a two black sacks with draw strings. She secured the one on Artimus’ head and handed the other to a scared Kayla. Evangeline motioned for Kayla to put the sack on. She did with an air of apprehension. A few moments passed and not a word was spoken. Kayla visibly relaxed a little. That’s when Evangeline leapt at her with an elbow raised. The bone on bone impact was sickening and the secondary bump of Kayla’s head hitting the car door interior was just as bad. Evangeline grabbed Kayla’s body and laid her on the seats on the opposite side of the car to Artimus. She sat back and produced a silver hip flask. She took a big sip and put it away. She sat back and relaxed. She felt the tingle. First in her right hand and then her left. Normally she would have scrambled for her medicine but today she embraced the change. One beige feather appeared on the back of her hand. Then another. Soon feathers were sprouting up all Over her arms and legs. Beige, brown and darker brown feathers.  In a matter of seconds the transformation was complete.  She sat and smiled.  Evangeline Latrobe, daughter of Hawkonian royalty, had the one thing she was after, her son. Now that he was back with her, the rest of those disease ridden Avians were insignificant.